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'But, at present, one of the biggest challenges is how to protect critical components such as leading edges, combustors and nose tips.'

The heat generated by air and gas in the atmosphere can have a serious impact on an aircraft or a projectile's structural integrity.

The structural problems are primarily caused by processes called oxidation and ablation.

Experts at The University of Manchester, in collaboration with Central South University in China, created the material after extensive lab work, testing various candidates (pictured)

The wonder material (pictured) is capable of withstanding temperatures of up to 3,000 degrees centigrade (5,400 Fahrenheit) that are generated at hypersonic speeds

This is the when extremely hot air and gas remove surface layers from the metallic materials of the aircraft or object travelling at such high speeds.

To combat the problem materials called ultra-high temperature ceramics (UHTCs) are needed in aero-engines and hypersonic vehicles such as rockets, re-entry spacecraft and defence projectiles.

But, at present, even conventional UHTCs can't currently satisfy the requirements of travelling at such extreme speeds and temperatures.

Overcoming these limitations will be key to enabling hypersonic travel for passenger planes.

HYPERSONIC PASSENGER PLANES COULD TAKE FLIGHT WITHIN A DECADE

Boeing has pledged to make hypersonic passengers planes a reality and says they could be operating within a decade.

'I think in the next decade or two you're going to see them become a reality,' Boeing Chairman and CEO Dennis Muilenburg told CNBC at the Paris Air Show in June

However, he admitted the firm still has to prove there are enough people who could afford tickets to make it worthwhile.

Another firm working to make the vehicles a reality is Boom Supersonic.

The company received £26million ($33million) in funding back in March, when it announced it was ready to build its XB-1 jet prototype.

Hypersonic passenger planes will take flight within a decade, according to Boeing. Another firm working to make the vehicles a reality is Boom Supersonic (pictured)

Backed by Virgin tycoon Richard Branson, the 'Baby Boom' jet could usher in a new era of affordable supersonic travel.

Claimed to be the 'world's fastest civil aircraft ever made', the XB-1 Supersonic Demonstrator is due to take off on its first test flight later this year and could take passengers from London to New York in 3.5 hours, its maker claims.

The company said the jet, which will cost more than $200 million (£160 million) to build, may carry passengers by the early 2020s.

The subsonic flight test will be conducted near Edwards Air Force Base in Southern California in partnership with Virgin Galactic's The Spaceship Company.

Nasa recently said it is is seeking proposals for the development of its supersonic X-plane, with plans to begin work as early as next year.

The Quiet Supersonic Transport low-boom flight demonstrator aims to produce a much lower 'boom' than other supersonic aircraft.

The space agency is hoping to see the first flight tests take place in 2021, according to Aviation Week.